Related Articles

India is full of rich culture, vibrant landscapes and unique cuisine, but it's also home to a collection of massive dams in beautiful natural areas. Tourists can visit these dams and their reservoirs to take in breathtaking views, spot local wildlife or enjoy an afternoon of water sports. The 10 tallest dams in India all stand higher than 430 feet, and provide irrigation, drinking water, hydroelectric power and flood control to millions of Indian people.

Tehri Dam

The highest dam in India is located in the state of Uttarakhand, along the Bhagirathi river. It stands at nearly 855 feet, and is used primarily for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes. Tehri Lake, the dam's reservoir, is a prominent boating destination and popular among tourists.

Idukki Arch Dam

This hydroelectric dam was completed in 1974, and stands at 555 feet. It's an arch dam standing between the Kuravanmala and Kurathimala mountains, built on the Periyar River. The Idukki Valley sits just 75 miles from the dam, and is full of small hill towns popular among tourists in India.

Bhakra Dam

The Bhakra Dam stands at 551 feet, and serves hydroelectric, irrigation and recreational purposes. It was built in 1963 along the Satluj River, and its reservoir – the Gobind Sagar – is popular for water sports, and a common tourist destination.

Sardar Sarover Gujarat Dam

This hydroelectric and irrigation dam is 535 feet in height, and sits on the Narmada River in the state of Gujarat. It holds 4.75 million acre feet of water, providing drinking water, hydropower and irrigation to millions of people in Western India. Travelers commonly pay visits to the dam for educational purposes, to tour the dam and power house and its connected canal structures.

Srisailam Dam

Located in the state of Telangana, this hydroelectric and irrigation dam stands at 475 feet tall. Its construction completed in 1984, and it sits less than 10 miles from the city of Srisailam. Travelers often visit the dam for its views of surrounding nature, but people interested in making the trip should keep in mind that the road from Huderabad to Srisailam closes from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.

Ranjit Sagar Dam

The Ranjit Sagar Dam serves to control flooding, as well as for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes. It's located in the Indian state of Punjab, and sits along the Ravi River. This 475-foot-high dam is easily accessible from Pathankot, but visitors must bring government-issued ID and obtain permission to enter the dam site from the Jugial barrier leading into the site.

Baglihar Dam

This dam stands at 470 feet, and functions to provide hydroelectric power to surrounding communities. It's located along the Chenab river in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and was completed in 2009. Visitors to the dam can learn about its construction and the de-silting process, or simply enjoy the spectacular views and surrounding scenery.

Chamera I Dam

The hydroelectric Chamera I Dam is located along the Ravi River in the state of Himachal Pradesh, and has been open since 1994. It's about 460 feet tall, and its reservoir, the Chamera Lake, is popular among tourists for boating and fishing. You'll find beautiful woodlands and lush valleys surrounding the Chamera I Dam, perfect for nature-loving travelers.

Cheruthoni Dam

The Cheruthoni Dam, sitting along the Cheruthoni river, provides hydroelectric power to people in its state of Kerala. It stands at about 453 feet in height, and, like the Idukki Arch Dam, was constructed as part of the Idukki Hydroelectric project in the district of Idukki. You'll find a playground for children near the dam, as well as coffee shops for those needing a midday break.

Pong Dam

Head to the Beas River in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh to spot the 437-foot Pong Dam, which serves irrigation and hydroelectric purposes to communities in the area. Its construction completed in 1974, and now visitors can enjoy its reservoir, which acts as a bird sanctuary and is an ideal spot for water sports.